The Great Oaks

Deep in The Forest stand 12 ancient oak trees older than recorded history, that home the 12 Great Houses who guide the elven races. These venerable trees encircle the majority of the Elvish capital, Oakgrove, which is located in a wide and shallow valley near the centre of The Forest. Though the trees have been grown to awe-inspiring heights by traditional "tree singing" techniques popular with Elven mages, due to their location their great boughs are hidden from the view of an outsider from all vantage points but the sky.

Geography

The 12 Great Oaks stand in a perfect 13 point circle, roughly 4 miles across, with The Ariashanta at it's most northern point. Though The Ariashanta is similar in appearance to the Great Oaks, it is cut off at only 20 ft tall and does not belong to a House, thus is not included among the Great Oaks regardless of its appearance and location.

Ecosystem

The Great Oaks stand between 8-15 storeys tall, with some having branches reaching as high as 250ft tall. Each tree was cultivated by the historic Tree Singers, turning once magnificent oak trees into marvels of traditional architecture. These living homes have sheltered every holder of the 12 Lordships in recorded history, and yet still they meld with the natural ecosystem of the magical surrounding forest - housing many creatures from root to bough. Some houses in particular take pride in the wildlife that lives with them in harmony, taking inspiration for house crests and mottos.

History

Given that the majority of Elven history pre-War of the Seldarine is lost to all record, there is not much evidence as to the origin of the Great Oaks, though many stories and legends have gained popularity through the ages. It is widely believed that prior to the war of the Seldarine, when The Forest was home to the Tel Querssir (fey ancestors of the elves), the The Material Plane was more closely linked with the Feywild, and one such legend suggests that the Great Oaks formed a "fairy circle" or naturally occuring portal between the planes.

Type

Vale

Location under

The Forest

Owning Organization

The Forest Council

Contested By

• The Ivy League